Chapter 6 06 | more

The next morning as I had breakfast just before leaving the apartment, a video call came in. I accepted it and my mom's face popped up on my laptop screen. She was in my sister's room, if the pastel colored walls were of any indication.

"Amy?" She called, pushing up the large rimmed eyeglasses that sat perched on the bridge of her nose. Her blue eyes searched the screen, lips pursed in a thin line.

"Hi, mom. Good morning." I greeted, taking a sip of my coffee. "Isn't it a bit early to be calling? I'm suprised you're even up yet."

"Yeah, well I just concluded my night round and was just about to go to bed when Lars mentioned something very interesting. You've not been telling us things." She frowned, a stern look on her face. My mom was very critical and sometimes, prodding. It was one of the reasons I chose to school here. I figured out being so close to home, she'd probably be showing up at my dorm room every two days.

"What are you talking about?" I absentmindedly made sure the contents of my bag were complete, almost spilling coffee into my sandwich in the process.

"This," she said, bringing up a folded up paper to the camera. I squinted at the screen and let out a small oh, shit. The same picture of Finn and I that Jo had sent to me at Luna's store stared back at me, this time on a magazine page.

I was in a lot of trouble now.

"You meant that."

"Care to explain what you're doing dancing with Finn Harris? Some multi-billionaire and business man? I swear I freaked out when Jo showed it to me. I thought you'd been kidnapped by some drug lord."

I briefly hid my face behind my hands to shield myself from my mom's paranoia. It was fault my after all. There was no way on earth my family was going to find out about the party. It surprised me how many people paid attention to gossip and I now had a lot of follow requests on my locked social accounts. Yes, they'd found me. In a matter of hours.

Even Ingrid would not believe that we had nothing going on. It was hard convincing her that Finn had in fact turned out to be a conceited asshole, and him sending me flowers what just decent courtesy. He probably sent flowers to every girl he danced with.

"He's my professor's nephew. She invited me to a party where he asked me to dance. Photographers took pictures and they're all being taken out of context."

"So you're telling me you guys just danced? Nothing more?"

"Yes. He's was being friendly." Or trying to get back at someone.

"So you two aren't involved in anyway?" She looked confused.

"Yes. And he has a girlfriend. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys at home about it sooner. It didn't seem like a big deal."

Josephine peeped from behind my mother, swaddled in a blanket. Her dark hair was rolled into a messy as fuck bun on the crown of her head. Her skin was blotchy and she looked really out of shape. "Dancing with someone like Finn is a big deal, Amy. He's literally every girl's dream. I've been telling my friends my sister's dating a hot billionaire."

I ignored the fact that she just insinuated that she's been blabbing around my old high school and finished up my coffee. "Aren't you supposed to be in school? Where's Lars?"

"He's gone already. I'm home sick."

"You don't look sick. Mom are you sure she's not faking it to slack off and binge watch Netflix?"

My mother shrugged. "She's got the flu and I don't want her spreading it around. She's under room arrest."

I watched as Jo shuffled her way back to her bed. She grinned and wiggled her phone at me. I rolled my eyes.

"What are you eating? I hope you're eating healthy and cooking too. If I hear you're having takeouts everyday I'm shipping you back here." My mom said. She just missed me. It's almost been a year since I've been back home.

"I've been using the recipes you sent. And I just finished a veggie sandwich. I'm not going to constipate or anything."

"Good."

"Say hi to dad for me. I'll call him later." He would already be on his way to work and explaining to him would be more complicated. I was a daddy's girl.

"Okay. Stay safe, remember to lock your doors at all times, be careful with strangers. Or people in general. Don't move alone at night."

"Sure thing. Bye."

I ended the video call and pulled out the complimentary card from last night, dialled the number on the card. A very feminine voice answered, and she told me to come to the office address on the card. She spoke in a boring monotone voice and said she was just a receptionist handling her boss' calls. After the call I took the elevator down to the lobby.

When I got to my car I realized the damage looked worse in daylight. I was thankful it wasn't a hit and run. I'd just gotten this car a few weeks ago and I'd put off the insurance process. I probably should have it sorted out after this.

I drove to the location of the office and slowed down as I approached the building. Three tall and imposing edifices stood with glass exteriors. The one in the middle was probably a dozen floors taller than the two at its side and I had to crane my neck up and squinted at the lettering. Bright sunlight reflected off it and I shielded my eyes.

Walking into the central tower was an unusual experience altogether. People walked about, the atmosphere abuzz with activity. No one spared me a single glance and they appeared to operate on one track minds. They all looked killer too. Individuals in pristine suits and bold outfits whizzed around, all melting into a cacophony of noise and colours.

Although overwhelmed and clearly lost in the activity, I managed to slip into an elevator and the doors closed, shutting out the white noise out. I savoured the quiet and tapped on the fiftieth floor. That's where the receptionist told me to be and it happened to be the last floor. Soft elevator music hummed and I turned to my side to see my reflection. My brown coat that matched my shoes hid the blouse and skirt I had on underneath.

The elevator made a little ding! and I realized I had over-thought through the whole ride. I stepped into a large hallway with plush carpeting and very subtle decor. It was dead quiet and the area scented of lemons. I heard sharp tapping noises and gravitated towards it to a large reception area. A receptionist was behind a large wrap around table, her attention glued to her desktop. She looked up as I approached her.

"Good morning. How can I help you?" She asked and I instantly recognised her voice as the lady from the phone. She had brownish red hair that looked like it had suffered at least an hour under a curling iron tied in a high ponytail. She was like a tiny fragile doll sitted on the rather large seat.

"Uh," I peeped at the golden tag on her table which read Maggie Walker. "Hi Maggie. I'm Amanda Reed, we spoke on the phone."

"Oh, yes. Have a seat, I'll get back to you in a minute."

"Yeah, sorry, is your um... boss responsible for the accident?"

She was as responsive as a brick. "I'll get back to you soon."

I nodded and retreated to one of the seats at the corner and impatiently tapped my fingers on my thigh. This was a lot of work to get my car fixed. I thought I'd have to meet the person who'd gotten my car totalled in front of a shop or something, not an office as big and intimidating as this.

"Alright, miss. Go right ahead." Maggie called and I stood, walking to the only door on this floor. A golden plaque on the door read Chief Executive Officer.

At least they can afford the repairs.

I inhaled and pushed the door open, revealing a large office space. What caught my attention first was the ridiculously huge floor to ceiling windows that encompassed the room, overlooking the whole city. The office had a lot of white and grey-moody colours, as Nate called them-but tastefully designed.

The man behind a table looked up from his computer.

I froze.

You have got to be kidding me.

"Amanda." Finn called softly, surprise flashing over his features before being concealed immediately after. He looked devilishly handsome sitting behind a desk and doing actual work, his hair styled back but a few managing to rebel out.

Oh God, I did not need this. I did not need to see him again. After the day at the coffee shop I'd shoved all thoughts of him away-well, to the best of my ability. And here he fucking was.

Was Karma giving me a timeout or something? I've been good to the universe. Haven't I?

"Am I in the wrong office?" I asked, confused. "I'm supposed to be meeting with Elliot Larsen. You're the one who did that to my car?"

He stared at me for a while like he was having some sort of internal battle. He took in my appearance, having no problem with eyeing me from head to toe. I bristled. Fuck him if he thought he could waste my time.

"Well?"

"Have a seat," he offered ever so casually, pushing his chair back so he could stand up.

I made sure to look as irritated as possible as I walked over to his table. Sat down. If he'd done that to my car, I was going to make sure to give him a hard time over it.

His brilliant emerald eyes flickered from me to the door, then back to me. The intensity startled me as his expression turned serious. I swallowed.

"My friend was the one who hit your car that night. I was with with him and decided to help him fix it since he was going out of the country the next morning."

So he hadn't wrecked my car. The muscles in my face relaxed in realization.

"Do you have insurance?" He asked. I grimaced and shook my head. "You'll hand over your keys and I'll see someone take it to an experienced mechanic. They work fast, so you'll have your vehicle as good as new in a day or two."

I licked my lips. His eyes followed the movement. "Why are you helping me?" If anything, I should be relieved that I wasn't going to have to fix shit myself. But, still.

"I'm not helping you, I'm helping Elliot."

I nodded. Of course. I fished out my keys and dropped it noisily on the table.

I hated to admit that some part of me hoped he actually cared about me, even the tiniest bit. The dance that had been on replay in my head obviously meant nothing to him. I was sure he'd danced with a whole lot of women.

I was being a hypocrite. I've been telling everyone around me; Nate, Ingrid, Mom and Jo that the dance held no meaning or importance, but here I was fidgeting and acting like a wreck, feeling a weird yearning for more.

Maybe it was a good thing he didn't care. After my last breakup I had promised myself not to go through something as depressing ever again. And now I was seeking what I loathed from possibly the worst person. I got the feeling that Finn knew exactly what he wanted, and I sure as hell wasn't it.

I wished I'd never met him at Genevieve's home at all. I would have been saved from all this trouble.

Realizing the conversation was over, I got up to leave.

"Hold on," I turned to him. He had his hands in his pockets again and mirth danced in his eyes. "How are you going to move around without your car?" Was he teasing? Why did he care?

"Buses, trains. I've got friends. I'll find a way around it."

"Hm," he stood in thought for a brief moment then pressed a finger against an intercom. "Jared, I want you to get me a chauffeuring service. The best in the city."

I gawked at him as he shot me a grin that made my heart flutter. Stupid, treacherous heart. "You really don't have to do that."

"Why? Representing Elliot, I'm the one who wrecked your car."

"And you're fixing it. Thank you. But I can get around just fine."

My pulse quickened as he moved over to where I stood, stopping a few inches away. "Why are you so stubborn?"

"I'm not stubborn. I'm just trying to make it easier for you."

"Why?"

"You were pretty clear at the café days ago. I want to stay at of your way, and I hope you do the same too. Because heavens forbid I fall for you." I plastered a fake smile on my face.

He nodded, message gotten loud and clear. "I apologise for my behavior that afternoon. I was being a..."

"Dick?" I proffered.

One side of his lips quirked up slightly. "Yes. A huge one. I'm usually nice. I promise. Take this as an apology."

I turned away. "Well, whatever. Why are you helping me?" It was difficult not to be skeptical of him right now. I'd made sure to voice out my displeasure with him at our last meeting. If anything, we should be hurling insults at each other right now, with me being dragged out by security after.

"Because I choose to." He said as he paced back to his seat and sat in it, a glint in his eyes.

But Finn Harris was not to be trusted as far as I knew.